Throwdown No.53 – 2012 YZ250F…

What’s this “Throwdown”? It’s a digital home for rumour, fact and innuendo, delivered on a weekly basis. Covering a broad spectrum of the off-road world’s news, The Throwdown will touch on everything from racing to trailriding; from industry tidbits to issues facing the sport. It’s about delivering you timely information that can’t wait till the next issue of Transmoto magazine, and stuff we’d like to hear your immediate feedback on.

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I spy a 2012 YZ250F…

Transmoto’s Ollie Sharp and iKapture Image’s Greg Smith are both up in Queensland today at the press launch for Yamaha’s 2012 YZ250F. Despite surprising many by not fitting EFI to its 2012 250, Yamaha were quick to ensure us that “this is no BNG of bling-style makeover” in their official invitation. Yami says the bike gets “more power, a stronger chassis, upgraded suspension and real-world improvements” and claim that it is now the lightest machine in the class at just 93.4kg dry, 95.6kg (curb weight) or 102.1 with a full tank of fuel – numbers that would make the YZ250F between 3.5 and 6kg lighter than the three other Japanese bikes in the class! Stay tuned for Kiwi and iKap’s online insights into the new machine in the coming days.

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Rumour has been circulating is that four-time World Champion (and current leader in the MX1 points standings), Antonio Cairoli, would be heading to the US to race the AMA National series next year. However, KTM has confirmed that the Italian has signed a contract with them to continue racing the World Motocross Championship for 2012.

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Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Billy Mackenzie had a nasty crash with TM Factory Racing’s Tanel Leok during the second moto of the British World Motocross Championship round. The Scotsman came down hard on the back of Leok’s bike after the TM rider came up short. Mackenzie was knocked out for seven minutes but, luckily, only sustained a black eye. Leok sustained a hairline fracture to his tailbone but will race in the next GP. Mackenzie will now take some time off and return back to Australia to contest the 2011 Monster Energy Super X Championship, which kicks off on October 22 in Melbourne.

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The 2011 Rockstar Energy Drink MX Nationals Rookie of the Year, Jake Emanuelli, will represent Hart & Huntington in the newly introduced Under 19s class in the Super X series. Emanuelli took third overall last season in the SX Michelin Development series and will be looking forward to improve his results with the help of Hart & Huntington team owner and rider, Chris Blose.

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Western Australia’s Junior Motocross Club and Motorcycling WA have teamed up to put Minikhana – a motorbike carnival – on at Chidlow Circuit on September 3. The day is about having fun and educating riders aged four to 16 about proper riding technique and skills that will help them in other motorcycle sports. For more information, head to the MWA website.

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The Australian Women’s Motocross Championship is set for this weekend at Coolum Pines MX track in Queensland. However, the scheduled two-day event has been downscaled to a one-day in a move that event promoter, Rebel Media Group’s Fiona Collins, says, “will make for some fantastic Championship racing with all the girls having to lay it on the line if they want to win the most coveted honour in Australian Women’s Motocross.” Best of luck, ladies.

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Young up-and-coming motocross star, Hunter Lawrence, has signed with KTM Australia to race aboard the 65 SX and 85 SX models. Lawrence finished fifth in the 65cc Junior Motocross World Championship in Italy this year and won the 10-12 years 65cc and 9-11 years 85cc divisions in the Queensland Motocross Championship. Lawrence will be one to keep an eye on in future years.

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The 2012 Monster Energy Supercross season will see the return of 2011 Miss Supercross, Dianna Dahlgren. We’re sure more than a few people will be happy to see her high-beam smile again on January 7 at Anaheim 1’s supercross opener.

Dakar Rally legend, Cyril Despres, won the 2011 Dos Sertoes Rally, which runs over 4000km through the heart of Brazil. The three-time Dakar winner spent 10 days battling for the lead with local rival, Felipe Zanol, before building a gap of two minutes in the final stretch and taking his second Dos Sertoes title (he also won in 2006). The Frenchman will now prepare for the Australasian Safari set to kick off in Western Australia on September 22.

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A few months ago, a bloke called Dale Hodgman emailed Transmoto HQ, telling us about his plans to race the Australasian Safari on a 2010-model TE510. He’d taken part in the Safari’s Adventure Tour last year with Transmoto’s Andy Wigan, but decided to go the whole hog for 2011. When we asked Dale why the TE510, he explained: “Why not? I’ve had Huskys for many years dating back to the early ’90s. I like to be a bit different from the norm. I love riding my ’09 TE510. I ride with lots of guys with KTMs and the other brands and much prefer the feel of the Husky. I can train on the ’09 and keep the ’10 model fresh for the Safari.” Why not, indeed! Dale came back to us more recently with a list of mods (below) made to his TE510 and some damn nice images of it. See for yourself!

Power commander; suspension by Chads Offroad; engine flowed; Michelin tyres with mousse tubes; throttle body bored; full navigation CPW tower (customised to suit Barrett full exhaust system); Acerbis disc protector; dyno run-in and tuned; VSV brake and clutch levers; Safari 19l front fuel tank; Acerbis rear guard bag; Safari 14l rear fuel tank; Husqvarna silicon radiator hoses; Renazco custom rally seat; Trail Tech speedo; Force bashplate with water tank; MD road book; Full custom sticker kit; alloy road book and ICO controls; Force radiator guards; Stealth sprocket; MSC steering dampener; PivotPegs Mark 3

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Round 5 and 6 of the Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) will be held this weekend in the sandy terrain of Callington, South Australia – the venue that hosted a round of the AORC in 2009. After a three-month gap between 2011 AORC rounds, this weekend is sure to fire up as competitors get back on the gas. And you’d have to think that all the guys who’ve been riding the sand at the recent ISDE in Finland will be at a distinct advantage in the South Oz sand.

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For people that love their vintage bikes, the NSW Rockley Vinduro Poker Run is on this weekend in Rockley. The catch? Only riders with pre-1985 machines will be able to get on the 15 kilometres of premium grasstrack.

Unfortunately, despite years of preparation, it has been decided that the highly anticipated film, Mad Max 4, will no longer be filmed in Broken Hill. The production company behind the fourth installment of the series, Kennedy Miller Mitchell (KMM), says the area around Broken Hill is too green for the post-apocalyptic script. There’s no word about where the movie will now be filmed.

Australian distributor, Sportzwise, has announced that Fantic enduro bikes will be available in Australia from September. Both 125cc and 300cc two-stroke models (TZ300 and TZ125) will be brought into and should create quite a buzz. Fantic closely model their bikes on the Italian factory machines used in the EWC, and are powered by Gas Gas engines. We’ll have more info, pics and RRPs on the exotic-looking new off-road weapons early next week.

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In the wake of their recent dealer launch in Queensland, KTM Australia has announced the pricing for their 2012 motocross bike range. The table below indicates good news for consumers in that RRPs have remained unchanged from 2011. Note also the 150SX two-stroke is now available.

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Kawasaki has also announced an unchanged RRP from year-to-year. They 2012 KX250F (with its all-new dual injectors) is priced at $10,999 and available on dealer floors any day now.

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The motorbike of the future! Or should we say past? This is an unconventional “front-wheel drive” motorcycle. With the engine and gearbox encased in the front wheel of the bike, this three-cylinder 600cc beast was designed by five Italians to become a simpler and safer motorcycle. There is no chain or valves to worry about, and with a much lower center of gravity than standard bikes, its handling was said to be improved. How cool would it be to take for a test ride?! Check out more info and picture about this pre-WWII innovative marvel.

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American-based helmet manufacturer, Bell, has released three new designs for their Moto-9 helmet. There’s a wicked Skullcandy version and two different-coloured Unit designs.

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Want to learn mousse tube and tyre changing techniques from legendary off-road rider, Geoff Ballard? Buy a Mousse Tyre Changer or Mousse Tools Kit from Ballard’s Offroad and you’ll get a free DVD with all sorts of tips and tricks demonstrated by Mr Ballard himself. Take a look at Ballard’s online catalogue for more details (the offer is on page 20).

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KTM and Husaberg’s bike demo programs (“KTM Dirt Days” and “Husaberg Hotlaps”, respectively) appears to have really gained momentum this year. Last weekend at the Broadford MX circuit in Victoria, 150 punters threw a leg over a 2012 Husaberg, while nearly 300 sampled a 2012-model KTM.

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Trail tour operators, Moto Adventure Tasmania and Aussie Biker (Noosaville, Qld), have decided to expand its fleet of hire motorcycles by adding Triumph’s all-new Tiger 800XC. Fully kitted-out with onboard computer, hard panniers, heated grips, ABS, centre stand and top box, the Tiger will be available from Moto Adventures in September. Aussie Biker has already added Tiger 800s to their fleet.

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While on vacation in the USA, Transmoto’s Ian Hancock stopped in at Bonneville salt flats to check out the famous Speed Week, where he caught up with notorious motorhead lensman, Simon Davidson. Note have “Davo” is proudly sporting the Transmoto Classsic T – in arctic salt white, of course!